Signal-transmitting coupling for pneumatic tool

ABSTRACT

A quick release coupling for pneumatic tools operable to connect a compressed-air supply line to the tool and including means for transmitting a signal from the tool to a remote indicating device. One embodiment of the coupling in combination with a tool includes electrical conductors in the coupling in communication with a pressure switch in the tool and a remote indicator device. An alternate embodiment comprises a coupling having passageways for transmitting a pressure signal from the tool to a remote fluid-actuated indicator.

United States Patent [72] Inventor William Workman, Jr.

15688 Longvlew Lane, Spring Lake, Mich. 49456 [211 App]. No. 50,205

[22] Filed June 26, I970 [45] Patented Nov. 30, 1971 [54] SIGNAL-TRANSMITTING COUPLING FOR PNEUMATIC TOOL 8 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 91/1, 285/93, 285/316 [51] Int. Cl. ..F0lb 25/26, Fl6t 35/00 [50] FieldolSearch ..92/98;9l/l; 173/20; 285/93 X, 316 X [56] Relerences Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,480,087 1111969 Boeger v V 9111 3,074,670 1/1963 Breuning 285/93 3,505,928 4/1970 Whitehouse... 91/] 3,492,968 2/1970 Workman, Jr 92/98 Primary Examiner-Everette A. Powell, Jr. Assistant Examiner-C. F. Schimikowski AnorneyMichael E. Martin ABSTRACT: A quick release couplingfor pneumatic tools operable to connect a compressed-air supply line to the tool and including means for transmitting a signal from the tool to a remote indicating device. One embodiment of the coupling in combination with a tool includes electrical conductors in the coupling in communication with a pressure switch in the tool and a remote indicator device. An alternate embodiment comprises a coupling having passageways for transmitting a pressure signal from the tool to a remote fluid-actuated indicator.

SIGNAL-TRANSMITTING COUPLING FOR PNEUMATIC TOOL 3 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Portable fluid-operated tools for tightening threaded fasteners are extensively used in assembling a wide variety of mass-produced machinery-type goods. For example, increasingly stringent requirements for structural integrity and quality assurance have made desirable the development of means for monitoring and recording the performance of fastenertightening tools used in assembling automobiles. Due to the fact that conventional power tools are usually designed to be hand held, it is desirable to locate the aforementioned monitoring means remote from the tool proper in order to not add to the weight and bulk of the tool.

An example of a prior art fluid-operated tool including remote indicating means is disclosed in US. Pat. 3,505,928 to H. L. Whitehouse. The Whitehouse patent discloses a fluidoperated tool having a pressure fluid supply line and a separate fluid conductor attached to the side of the tool housing for carrying a pressure signal from the tool to a remote indicator device. It is desirable, however, to enhance the manipulation of handheld power tools by minimizing the number of dependent conductors attached thereto. Furthermore, in hand-held power tools it has been determined that it is desirable to have all conductors attached to the tool rearward or at the end of the tool handle portion so as to not encumber the handling of the tool. It is also desirable in the art of handheld or portable power tools to provide for quick release couplings between the tool and all conductors leading thereto to provide for rapid interchange of tools at a particular location in the event of a tool malfunction. However, prior art devices have largely failed to provide means for transmitting a signal from a fluid-operated tool to a remote indicating means without hampering tool-handling characteristics and rapid interchangeability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention there is provided a fluid-operated tool adapted to transmit a signal to a remote indicator device for indicating the commencement and completion of a tool-operating cycle, and said tool includes a releasable coupling for connecting a pressure fluid supply line and signal-transmitting means to the tool.

In one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a fluid-operated tool in combination with a signal-transmitting coupling whereby a plurality of fluid passageways are provided for conducting pressure fluid signals from the tool to conduit means in communication with a remote fluid-actuated indicator.

In another embodiment of the present invention a signaltransmitting coupling is provided in combination with a fluidoperated tool having a pressure-responsive switch whereby a pressure fluid signal is converted to an electrical signal at the tool proper and said electrical signal is transmitted through the coupling to a remote indicating device.

The present invention provides for means for transmitting a signal from a fluid-operated tool to a remote indicating means without encumbering the handling characteristics of the tool proper. The present invention also provides signal-transmitting means for a fluid-operated tool embodied in a releasable coupling for connecting a tool to a pressure fluid supply line whereby rapid interchanging of tools may be obtained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a longitudinal view partially sectioned of a fluidoperated wrench including an electrical signal-transmitting releasable coupling.

FIG. la is a continuation of FIG. I from the line a-a.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section of a fluid-operated wrench including a pressure fluid signal-transmitting releasable coupling.

FIG. 3 is a section view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. la.

FIG. 4 is a section view taken along the lines 4-4 of FIG. Ia.

FIG. 5 is a schematic of the electrical circuit of FIG. la.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 1a, 3, and 4 in combination with a fluid-operated tool such as a hand-held pneumatic wrench generally designated by the numeral 10. The tool 10 includes a housing 12 and a handle portion 14. Located within the housing 12 is a fluidoperated rotary vane motor 16 which is drivably connected to a rotary wrench drive member 18 through a torque-sensing clutch device 19 comprising a driving member 20 mounted on the motor rotor 22 and engaged with an axially movable driven member 24. The construction and operation of the clutch device 19 is disclosed in greater detail in US. Pat. No. 3,520,392.

The motor 16 is operable to receive pressure fluid such as compressed air through an inlet port 26 and to exhaust spent fluid through ports 28 and exhaust passage 30 into cavity 32 in which is located the torque-sensing clutch device. In the position of the clutch member 24 shown in FIG. 1, motor exhaust fluid may flow past the transverse surface 34 into cavity 36 and through suitable passage means, not shown, to the exterior of the tool. However, in response to sensing a predetermined torque produced by the motor 16 the driven clutch member 24 is operable to move axially to simultaneously disengage from the driving member 20 and cause a portion of the annular plate 38 to seat against the surface 34 thereby blocking the flow of exhaust fluid from the motor 16. The pressure increase in passage 30 resulting from blocking of the exhaust fluid flow produces a pressure signal in a passage 40, cavity 42, and also in passage 44 located in the handle portion 14.

The tool 10 is operable to receive pressure fluid from a source, not shown, by way of a flexible hose 46 which is connected to the end of handle portion 14 by means of a releasable coupling, generally designated by the numeral 48. The coupling 48 includes a first member 50 in the form of a plug having a fluid supply passage 52 in communication with the area 54 in the handle portion 14. The handle portion also includes fluid supply passage means comprising the passages 56 and 58, the latter in communication with the motor inlet port 26. A digitally actuated control valve 60 is interposed between the fluid supply passages 56 and 58 and is operable in response to actuation of the pushbutton 62 to valve pressure fluid to the motor 16. A passage 64 in the handle portion 14 is in communication with passage 58 downstream of the control valve 60 and is operable to transmit a pressure fluid signal in response to the opening of said control valve.

The aforementioned releasable coupling 48 also includes a second member 66 attached to the hose 46. The coupling 48 is composed in part of a well-known type of fluid coupling commercially available. The particular coupling shown in FIG. 1a is available from the Hansen Manufacturing Company, Cleveland, Ohio, and is known as a 4000 series one-way shutoff coupling. The coupling 48 has been modified, however, to include signal-transmitting means for transmitting a signal from the tool 10 to indicating means comprising the electrical lamps 68 and 70 shown as part of the electrical circuit of FIG. 1a and FIG. 5.

The second member 66 includes a sleeve portion 72 formed of an electrical insulating material and tightly fitted over the knurled portion 74. The sleeve portion 72 includes three circumferential grooves 76, 78 and 80, each containing an O-ring 82 which are contained within the grooves by a circumsurrounding sleeve member 84. Each of the aforementioned grooves includes a slot portion 86, shown by way of example in FIG. 4, in which is retained an electrical contact member 88. The contact member 88, as shown by the example in FIG.

of the first member 50 of the coupling 48. The cylindrical member 92 is also constructed of an electrical insulating material. The member 92 also includes ringlike conductors 94 and 96 which, respectively, include longitudinal conductor portions 98 and 100 shown in FIG. 1a. In the same manner, a longitudinal conductor portion 102 of the conductor 90, FIG. 4, terminates in contact with a pressure-responsive, normally open switch 104, FIG. 3. The switch 104 includes integral spring contact members 106 and 108 which are operable to be biased, respectively, by pressure fluid actuated plungers 110 and 112 into contact with conductor portions 98 and 100 to close electrical circuits. The plungers 110 and l 12 are located in respective chambers 114 and 116 which are respectively in communication with the fluid passages 64 and 44, FIG. la.

The aforementioned electrical circuit illustrated schematically in FIG. 1a and FIG. includes a source of electrical energy represented by the battery 118 which is in circuit with the conductor 120 which in turn is connected to the switch by conductor 102, FIG. 3. Flexible conductors 120, 122 and 124 are desirably trained along the hose 46 by means of a protective sheath 126 to a suitable location remote from the tool where the below-described components of the electrical circult of FIG. 1a and FIG. 5 would be located. The conductors 122 and 124, electrically connected to the respective indicating lamps 68 and 70 which are in circuit with the battery 118, provide for transmitting an electrical signal to energize the lamps in response to the plungers 110 and 112 moving the spring arm switch contacts 106 and 108 to complete the electrical circuit.

The indicating lamps 68 and 70 operate to indicate the condition of the tool-operating cycle and are merely illustrative of how the electrical signal produced at the switch 104 and transmitted through the coupling 48 may be used. The circuitry of FIG. la and FIG. 5 may be altered to produce a signal suitable for conversion and recording by an electronic tape-recording device, for example, or other data acquisition systems.

In the operation of the tool 10 actuation of the pushbutton 62 to valve pressure fluid from passage 56 to passage 58 and the motor inlet port 26 would produce a pressure signal in passage 64 and movement of the plunger 110 to bias the switch arm 106 to engage the conductor 98. This action would cause an electrical signal to be transmitted to energize lamp 68 indicating that a tool-operating cycle had commenced. In response to a predetermined torque sensed by the torquesensing clutch device, the clutch member 24 would operate to disengage from clutch member 20 and move to block the flow of motor exhaust fluid as previously described. This action would cause a pressure signal to be produced in passages 40 and 44 due to pressure increase in the exhaust passage 30. The pressure signal produced in passage 44 would cause the plunger 112 to move switch arm 108 to engage conductor 100 thereby closing the circuit to lamp 70 and causing same to indicate that the tool-operating cycle had been completed. Upon release of the pushbutton 62 by the tool operator control valve 60 would close and pressure fluid in passage 64 and 58 would vent through the motor to passage 30. Also, passages 44 and 40 would vent through passage 30 which in turn would vent through the small passage 126 whereby the spring bias of the switch arms 106 and 108 would cause the switch to open both indicating circuits. The clutch member 24 would also operate to reengage the clutch member 20 preparatory to another tooloperating cycle.

The arrangement of the ringlike conductors 90, 94, 96 each in contact respectively with conductors 120, 122 and 124 through a contact 88 provides for rotation of the tool 10 with respect to the hose 46 without interruption of the electrical circuitry at the coupling 48. Moreover, if it is desired to disconnect the tool 10 from the hose 46, the member portion 72, which is axially slidable with respect to the cylindrical member 92, could be moved axially away from the tool handle portion 14 and the member 66 would disengage from the member 50 in a manner well known. Reengagement of the coupling 48 is similarly accomplished.

An alternate embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2 a pressure fluid operated tool 210, similar in some respects to the tool 10, is shown in part. The tool 210 is characterized by a housing 212 including a handle portion 214. A fluid-operated rotary vane motor 216 is mounted within the housing 212 and is operable through suitable means, not shown, to rotate the wrench drive 218. The tool 210 also includes fluid supply passage means comprising the area 220 within the handle portion 214, the cavity 222, and the passage 224. A fluid-operated shutoff valve 226 is positioned in the cavity 222 and is operable to control the flow of fluid from the area 220 to passage 224. The passage 224 is in communication with the annular area 228 in the tool housing whence pressure fluid may flow to the motor 216 through the inlet port 230. The passage 224 is positioned entirely within the tool 210 but for simplicity of illustration is schematically represented in part.

The tool 210 is illustrated in combination with a releasable coupling, generally designated by the numeral 232, which is operable to connect a supply of pressure fluid, now shown, to the tool by way of the fluid-conducting hose 234. The coupling 232 includes a first member 236 threadedly attached to the handle portion 214, and including a passage 238 in communication with the area 220. The member 236 includes a cylindrical portion 240 formed as a separate piece to facilitate aligning passages 246 and 248 fonned therein with passages 250 and 252 within the tool. The portion 240 also includes the grooves 242 and 244 formed on the periphery and communicating respectively with passages 246 and 248. Annular O-ring packings 249 are interposed between and on either side of grooves 242 and 244. The coupling 232 is partly constructed in accordance with the design of the one-way shutoff quick release coupling 48 of FIG. la and includes a second member 254 attached indirectly to the fluid-conducting hose 234. The member 254 is operable to be in sleeved relationship around the member 240 when the coupling members are engaged whereby fluid passages 256 and 258 are operable to be in communication with annular grooves 242 and 244, respectively. This arrangement of the circumferential grooves and cooperating passages provides for rotation of the tool 210 with respect to the hose 234 without inter rupting communication of the passages 250 and 252 with passages 256 and 258. The passages 256 and 258 are also in communication with flexible conduits 260 and 262, respectively, by means of the tubular connectors 263. The conduits 260 and 262 are trained alongside the hose 234 by a flexible enclosing sheath 264. The coupling 232 also includes a portion 266 to which is threadedly attached the hose 234, and further a member 268 including ball detents 270 cooperable with the second member 254 and the first member 236 to hold the coupling engaged in a manner well known. Pressure fluid from the interior of the hose 234 is supplied to the passage 238 in the member 236 through the cavity 272 and through passages 274 and 276 in the spring-biased plug valve 278. The coupling 232 is operated to engage and disengage the supply hose 234 and the flexible conduits 260 and 262 from the tool by axial movement of the member 254 against the bias of spring 280 to allow the ball detents 270 to move radially away from the groove 282 in the member 236. During this engaging and disengaging action, the conduits 260 and 262 may be flexed, along the portion shown which is not covered by the sheath 264, to allow axial movement of the member 254.

The aforementioned passages in the members 236 and 254 leading to the conduits 260 and 262 comprise signal-transmitting means operable to transmit pressure fluid signals produced within the tool 210 to indicating means such as the pressure fluid visual indicators 284 and 286 which may be mounted remote from the tool. The indicators 284 and 286 may be of the type disclosed in applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 3,492,968. Alternatively, the signals transmitted by the conduits 260 and 262 may be converted to an electrical signal in a manner similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 1a or used to actuate a recording device such as disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,505,928.

The operation of the tool 210 is controlled by a fluid control valve unit 288 which has a digitally actuated pushbutton operator 290. Details of the control valve 288 and its basic operation are disclosed in applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 3,493,056. Briefly, the control valve 288 is operable to valve pressure fluid from the area 220 by way of a passage, not shown, to passage 292 and chamber 294 to open supply valve 226. In response to change in fluid pressure in the motor inlet port 230, which is proportional to the torque produced by the tool, the pressure in annular area 228 also changes and is sensed by the control valve 288 by way of the passage 296. Upon sensing a predetermined pressure in area 228, the control valve 288 is operable to vent the chamber 294 causing the valve 226 to close and, at the same time, produce a pressure signal in the passage 250 which is transmitted to the passage 246 and groove 242 in the member 240 and thence to the indicator 286 via passage 256 and conduit 260. The indicator 284 operates to signal the beginning of the tool-operating cycle by receiving a pressure fluid signal through passage 252 in communication with the fluid supply passage 224, passage 248, groove 244, passage 258, and conduit 262. The control valve 288, upon release of the pushbutton 290, is operable to vent the passage 250 and associated signal-transmitting passages. Also, the area 228 will vent through the motor 216 and thereby relieve the pressure in the fluid supply passage 224 and the signal-transmitting passages in communication therewith.

From the foregoing it may be appreciated that the present invention provides coupling means for transmitting a signal from a portable hand-held power tool without impairing the handling characteristics thereof and also providing for quick disconnection of the tool from the power supply and the signal-transmitting means.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a fluid-operated tool having a fluidoperated motor and fluid supply passage means in said tool in communication with said motor;

fluid-conducting means for conducting a supply of pressure fluid to said fluid supply passage means in said tool;

signal-producing means including passage means in said tool operable to transmit a pressure signal therethrough to produce a signal in response to a pressure fluid condition in said tool;

indicating means operable to receive a signal from said signal-producing means, and the improvement comprisa releasable coupling for connecting said fluid-conducting means to said tool, said releasable coupling including a passage in communication with said fluid-conducting means and said fluid supply passage means in said tool, a first member attached to said tool, and a second member attached to said fluid-conducting means, said first and second members being operable to be releasably engaged one to the other for connecting said fluid-conducting means to said tool and said first and second members each including signal-transmitting means operable to transmit a signal from said signal-producing means through said releasable coupling to said indicating means when said first and second members are engaged. 2. The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein: said fluid-operated tool includes a handle portion and said releasable coupling is connected to said handle portion. 3. The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein: said first member includes a substantially cylindrical portion having signal-transmitting means disposed on the periphery thereof and said second member includes a portion operable to be sleeved over said cylindrical portion of said first member and including signal-transmitting means operable to be in communication with said signaltransmitting means on said first member when said members are engaged.

4. The invention set forth in claim 3 wherein: said signal-transmitting means includes fluid passage means in said first and second members of said releasable coupling and said signal-transmitting means includes fluid conduit means connected to said passage means in said second member and operable to transmit a pressure fluid signal from said tool to said indicating means.

5. The invention set forth in claim 3 wherein:

said signal-producing means includes a pressure-responsive switch, said signal-transmitting means includes electrical conductor means forming an electrical circuit and said pressure-responsive switch is interposed in said circuit and is responsive to a pressure fluid signal in said tool to produce an electrical signal.

6. The invention set forth in claim 5 wherein:

said signal-transmitting means located on the periphery of said first member comprises electrical conductor means and said signal-transmitting means on said second member includes electrical contact means operable to be in signal-transmitting relationship with said electrical conductor means on said first member when said first and second members are engaged.

7. The invention set forth in claim 6 wherein:

said first member of said releasable coupling is operable to rotate with respect to said second member when said first and second members are engaged and said electrical conductor means on the periphery of said first member is circumferential whereby said electrical contact means on said second member is in signal-transmitting relationship with said circumferential conductor means in any rotative position of said first member with respect to said second member.

8. The invention set forth in claim 4 wherein:

said first member of said releasable coupling is operable to rotate with respect to said second member when said first and second members are engaged and said fluid passage means in one of said members comprises circumferential grooves whereby said fluid passage means in said first and second members are in signal-transmitting relationship in any rotative position of said first member with respect to said second member.

l '0 t i l 

1. In combination with a fluid-operated tool having a fluidoperated motor and fluid supply passage means in said tool in communication with said motor; fluid-conducting means for conducting a supply of pressure fluid to said fluid supply passage means in said tool; signal-producing means including passage means in said tool operable to transmit a pressure signal therethrough to produce a signal in response to a pressure fluid condition in said tool; indicating means operable to receive a signal from said signalproducing means, and the improvement comprising: a releasable coupling for connecting said fluid-conducting means to said tool, said releasable coupling including a passage in communication with said fluid-conducting means and said fluid supply passage means in said tool, a first member attached to said tool, and a second member attached to said fluid-conducting means, said first and second members being operable to be releasably engaged one to the other for connecting said fluid-conducting means to said tool and said first and second members each including signal-transmitting means operable to transmit a signal from said signal-producing means through said releasable coupling to said indicating means when said first and second members are engaged.
 2. The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein: said fluid-operated tool includes a handle portion and said releasable coupling is connected to said handle portion.
 3. The invention set forth in claim 1 wherein: said first member includes a substantially cylindrical portion having signal-transmitting means disposed on the periphery thereof and said second member includes a portion operable to be sleeved over said cylindrical portion of said first member and including signal-transmitting means operable to be in communication with said signal-transmitting means on said first member when said members are engaged.
 4. The invention set forth in claim 3 wherein: said signal-transmitting means includes fluid passage means in said first and second members of said releasable coupling and said signal-transmitting means includes fluid conduit means connected to said passage means in said second member and operable to transmit a pressure fluid signal from said tool to said indicating means.
 5. The invention set forth in claim 3 wherein: said signal-producing means includes a pressure-responsive switch, said signal-transmitting means includes electrical conductor means forming an electrical circuit and said pressure-responsive switch is interposed in said circuit and is responsive to a pressure fluid signal in said tool to produce an electrical signal.
 6. The invention set forth in claim 5 wherein: said signal-transmitting means located on the periphery of said first member comprises electrical conductor means and said signal-transmitting means on said second member includes electrical contact means operable to be in signal-transmitting relationship with said electrical conductor means on said first member when said first and second members are engaged.
 7. The invention set forth in claim 6 wherein: said first member of said releasable coupling is operable to rotate with respect to said second member when said first and second members are engaged and said electrical conductor means on the periphery of said first member is circumferential whereby said electrical contact means on said second member is in signal-transmitting relationship with said circumferential conductor means in any rotative position of said first member with respect to said second member.
 8. The invention set forth in claim 4 wherein: said first member of said releasable coupling is operable to rotate with respect to said second member when said first and second members are engaged and said fluid passage means in one of said members comprises circumferential grooves whereby said fluid passage means in said first and second members are in signal-transmitting relationship in any rotative position of said first member with respect to said second member. 